DM3 Pt3-1 The Anorexic Cat Flashcards
(41 cards)
What are common causes of anorexia in cats?
Causes include upper respiratory tract disease, oral disease, renal failure, pancreatitis, liver disease, cardiac disease, anemia, neoplasia, acute or chronic pain, and nausea.
Why is nutrition important in hospitalized anorexic cats?
Adequate nutrition is vital for energy, protein synthesis, vitamin/mineral supply, immune system function, and tissue repair. Without it, cats may experience muscle weakness, delayed healing, sepsis, altered drug metabolism, and hepatic lipidosis.
What are the consequences of prolonged anorexia in cats?
Consequences include dehydration, hepatic lipidosis, muscle and fat loss, weakness, hypoglycemia, immune suppression, delayed healing, altered drug metabolism, and reduced quality of life.
Why should force feeding or syringe feeding be avoided in anorexic cats?
Force feeding can lead to food aversions, making the cat more likely to refuse food long-term, especially if they are feeling nauseous.
How can the environment be adjusted to encourage a cat to eat?
Reduce environmental stress, keep the food bowl far from the litter tray, offer familiar or more palatable food, provide small frequent meals, use wide shallow bowls to avoid whisker contact, and create a calm environment by covering the cage or allowing the cat to hide while eating.
What clinical examination points should be assessed in an anorexic cat?
Examine for oral/dental disease, nasal discharge, upper respiratory tract noise, pale or jaundiced mucous membranes, goiter, abdominal pain, skin wounds, and check for post-surgical pain or infection.
What foods can be offered to stimulate appetite in an anorexic cat?
Offer familiar foods, increase palatability by adding flavors, warming the food, or changing the texture. Tempting strategies include smearing food on the cat’s paws or face to trigger a licking response.
How should feeding bowls be chosen for anorexic cats?
Use wide shallow bowls to prevent the cat’s whiskers from touching the sides, as whisker contact may cause discomfort.
What medications might cause inappetence in cats?
Some drugs, such as metronidazole, can cause nausea or inappetance and should be reviewed in anorexic cats.
Why is hepatic lipidosis a concern in anorexic cats?
Cats are highly prone to hepatic lipidosis after short periods of anorexia, leading to fat accumulation in the liver, which can result in severe illness if not addressed early.
Which antibiotics are known to cause anorexia in cats?
Antibiotics such as penicillin, trimethoprim/sulphonamides, and doxycycline can cause anorexia in cats.
What NSAIDs can lead to anorexia in cats?
Meloxicam is an NSAID that can cause anorexia.
Which opioids are associated with causing anorexia in cats?
Morphine and methadone are opioids that can lead to anorexia.
Which diuretic can cause anorexia in cats?
Furosemide is a diuretic that may lead to anorexia.
What are some chemotherapeutic drugs that may cause anorexia in cats?
Vincristine and cyclophosphamide can cause anorexia as side effects.
What appetite stimulants can be used for anorexic cats?
Diazepam, cyproheptadine, and mirtazapine are commonly used appetite stimulants.
Why is long-term use of diazepam not recommended for stimulating appetite in cats?
Long-term use of diazepam is not recommended due to its association with idiosyncratic hepatic necrosis and potential to cause food aversions.
What are the benefits of using mirtazapine for anorexia in cats?
Mirtazapine is useful because it has anti-emetic properties, is administered only every 72 hours, and is effective for treating nausea-related anorexia.
What side effects are associated with mirtazapine in cats?
Side effects of mirtazapine include hyperactivity and vocalization, which can be treated with cyproheptadine.
What are some non-drug-related strategies to encourage eating in anorexic cats?
Strategies include reducing environmental stress, offering familiar foods, improving food palatability, using wide shallow bowls, and hand-feeding.
Why is syringe or force feeding not recommended in anorexic cats?
Syringe feeding is not recommended because it can cause food aversions that are difficult to reverse, especially in cats experiencing nausea.
What should be considered when assessing an anorexic cat in hospital?
Key considerations include checking for pain, nausea, stress, hypokalemia, and evaluating for conditions such as oral disease, renal failure, and hepatic lipidosis.
How does hepatic lipidosis develop in anorexic cats?
Hepatic lipidosis occurs when cats, after even a short period of anorexia, start breaking down fat for energy, leading to fat accumulation in the liver and liver dysfunction.
Which diagnostic tests are recommended for an anorexic cat?
Perform routine haematology, biochemistry, and consider testing for pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) for chronic pancreatitis, which may present only as anorexia.
